1967
1. The Moody Blues - Days Of Future Passed
This is the classic Moody Blues album with the London Festival Orchestra. It includes such classics as "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights In White Satin", but the whole album is a great listening experience.
1968
1. The Moody Blues - In Search Of The Lost Chord
Another Moody Blues classic... includes "Ride My Seesaw", etc.
1969
1. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II
In my opinion, this was the "break out" album for Zeppelin. Robert Plant's vocals and Jimmy Page's guitar work are just simply classic. My favorite on this album is "Ramble On".
2. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
What a way to break onto the music scene... Chicago's first album is awesome. Does anybody really know what time it is?
3. The Moody Blues - On The Threshold Of A Dream
Another Moody Blues classic... I'd rank it higher except there were just too many good albums in 1969.
4. The Guess Who - Wheatfield Soul
The Guess Who's "breakout" album. Even though "These Eyes" got most of the radio play, the best songs were the other ones on this album... "The Pink Wine Sparkles In The Glass" comes to mind.
5. The Guess Who - Canned Wheat
"No Time", "Laughing", "Minstrel Boy", "Undun", etc... what else can you say? Another fantastic album.
6. Yes - Yes
Yes's debut album is good, but certainly not as good as what was to come.
7. The Moody Blues - To Our Children's Children's Children
This is a good album, but not as good as the other Moody Blues albums of this time period. "Eyes Of A Child" is my favorite on this one.
8. Jethro Tull - Stand Up
A drastic improvement on "This Was" (Tull's first album).
1970
1. Jethro Tull - Benefit
A drastic improvement over "Stand Up", this album has a lot more acoustic guitar warmth and features Ian Anderson's voice coming into it's own. "Teacher" got the radio play, but the rest of the songs are better.
2. Steeleye Span - Hark! The Village Wait
English folk music modernized! The beginning of a wonderful thing. Excellent debut album.
3. The Moody Blues - A Question Of Balance
This may be the Moody Blues best album ever.
4. Yes - Time And A Word
An improvement over their first album, but Yes doesn't really get into their groove until the next album.
5. Black Sabbath - Paranoid
I have to include this because it's just a classic. "War Pigs" spoke for the Viet Nam generation, "Iron Man" is a classic, the whole album is just plain classic.
6. Chicago - Chicago II
I have to include this because Chicago was simply ahead of their time.
1971
1. Yes - The Yes Album
One of the best albums ever made. Yes was so far ahead of their time. "Yours Is No Disgrace", "Starship Trooper", etc.... just awesome.
2. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV
Zeppelin's sound is so unique at this point. This will probably always be seen as Zeppelin's best album because of "Stairway To Heaven", but "Battle Of Evermore", "Four Stix", and "Going To California", and the whole rest of the album is awesome.
3. Jethro Tull - Aqualung
This is seen by many as Tull's best album, but I strongly disagree. It's got some great songs on it ("Mother Goose", "Wind Up") but it doesn't come close to "Songs From The Wood", "Heavy Horses" or "Stormwatch". But the guitar solo on the song "Aqualung" is great sounding.
4. Steeleye Span - Please To See The King
"Female Drummer" has to be one of the best Steeleye Span songs ever, but this whole album is very good.
5. The Moody Blues - Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
Another good Moody Blues album with catchy melodies.
6. Steeleye Span - Ten Man Mop (or Mr. Reservoir Butler Rides Again)
Another good Steeleye Span album, but not one of my favorites.
1972
1. Yes - Fragile
What a great follow up to the last album. "Roundabout" is fantastic, "Heart Of The Sunrise", etc... it's a great album.
2. Yes - Close To The Edge
How can a band come out with two such excellent albums in the SAME YEAR?
3. Larry Norman - Only Visiting This Planet
This album is a classic. My favorites are "The Outlaw" and "I Am The Six O'Clock News".
4. Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill
This is really the only Steely Dan album I like, but it's got some classics on it.
5. Jethro Tull - Living In The Past
I love the song, "Living In The Past", as well as some others on this album.
6. Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick
The first of Tull's "Theme Albums": the whole album is one big long song, but it's really a bunch of different songs pieced together.
7. Steeleye Span - Below The Salt
Another good Steeleye Span album, but not one of my favorites.
8. The Moody Blues - Seventh Sojourn
"I'm Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band..."
9. Neil Young - Harvest
I like two songs on this album, but they are both fantastic songs: "Heart Of Gold" and "Old Man".
10. Chicago - Chicago V
I have to include this because Chicago was simply ahead of their time.
1973
1. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon
A true classic... "Breathe", "Time", "Money"... great album.
2. Steeleye Span - Parcel of Rogues
One of the best Steeleye Span albums ever.
3. Yes - Tales From Topographic Oceans
Another great Yes album. Kind of like Tull's "Theme Albums" in that it's all like one long song.
4. Jethro Tull - A Passion Play
The second of Tull's "Theme Albums": the whole album is one big long song, but it's really a bunch of different songs pieced together.
5. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
What makes this album a classic is "Over The Hills And Far Away", but the other songs are good too.
6. Paul McCartney and Wings - Band On The Run
"Well the rain exploded with a mighty crash as we fell into the sun...", "Jet, woowoowoo" McCartney at his best.
7. Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
Mike's first album may be his best.
8. Chicago - Chicago VI
I have to include this because Chicago was simply ahead of their time.
1974
1. Steeleye Span - Now We Are Six
Another one of Steeleye Span's best albums ever... "Seven Hundred Elves", "Thomas The Rhymer", why wasn't this group better known?
2. Crosby Stills Nash & Young - So Far
I think this is a fantastic collection of songs; from "Deja Vu" to "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" to "Guinivere", the harmonies are great and the songs well written.
3. Jethro Tull - War Child
"The Last Hurrah" is one of my favorite Tull songs of all time, and don't forget "Skating Away"! The title song is by far the worst song on the album. Ian Anderson expands his abilities to playing a decent saxaphone on this album.
4. Yes - Relayer
A step down from their previous works, but this album does have a unique sound and is still a very interesting project.
5. The Guess Who - Road Food
The title song is enough to give mention to this album. Although a lot of this album isn't so hot, the good parts are very good.
6. Santana - Santana's Greatest Hits
Excellent percussion and some great sounding guitar work by Carlos.
7. Head East - Flat As A Pancake
"Never Been Any Reason" is a classic, and "Jefftown Creek" is among the other good songs on this album. Head East featured Petra's lead singer before he got saved.
8. Bad Company - Bad Company
Their first album is one of their best. The song "Bad Company" is probably my favorite on this album.
9. Chicago - Chicago VII
I have to include this because Chicago was simply ahead of their time.
1975
1. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Another great Floyd album... the title song and "Welcome To The Machine" are among my favorites.
2. Jethro Tull - Minstrel In The Gallery
This is where Tull started to come into their own. Ian Anderson's best songs and best arranging start to come from this album on. He started introducing more of a folk feel in many of the songs, and after a brief departure in 1976 to do Tull's worst album, the very best comes forth from 1977-79.
3. Chicago - Chicago's IV (Greatest Hits)
One of the greatest collections of songs I've ever heard. The best of Chicago's best era.
4. Rush - Caress Of Steel
This was Rush's "breakout" album in my opinion, after the mediocre releases of "Rush" and "Fly By Night". "The Necromancer" and "The Fountains Of Lamneth" are the preludes to "2112"!
5. Steeleye Span - All Around My Hat
Another great Steeleye Span album, with the title song leading the way.
6. Styx - Equinox
Styx starts to hit their peak on this album with some great guitar sounds and good songs.
7. Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti
Although this would still be classified as a great Zeppelin album, I don't like it as much as most of the others.
8. Steeleye Span - Commoners Crown
A good Steeleye Span album, but not among their best.
9. America - America's Greatest Hits (History)
Another great collection: "Ventura Highway", "Horse With No Name", etc. You just have to overlook "Muscrat Love" (ugh).
10. Larry Norman - In Another Land
This album has a great variety of styles mixed together and represents what I believe to be Larry Norman's best recorded music.
11. Rush - Fly By Night
An "OK" Rush album, but not even close to what they accomplished later on.
12. Sweet - Desolation Boulevard
With "Ballroom Blitz" and "Fox On The Run", this album can't be left off the list.
13. Aerosmith - Toys In The Attic
"Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotions" make this album a classic.
14. Bad Company - Straight Shooter
"Shooting Star" is my favorite on this album.
15. Chicago - Chicago VIII
I have to include this because Chicago was simply ahead of their time.
1976
1. Rush - All The World's A Stage
The best live album ever recorded. A power trio at their best. Three men making a great, thick sound and creating a musical revolution with their style. Can you tell I love Rush's sound?
2. Kansas - Leftoverture
An outstanding album that I would have rated first if not for Rush's classic live album. "Carry On Wayward Son" got the radio play, but the rest of the album is GREAT!
3. Rush - 2112
Rush starting to reach their potential. The series of songs that make up the story "2112" are all time classics now.
4. Led Zeppelin - Presence
This was a very good album that got a bad rap in my opinion.
5. Steeleye Span - Rocket Cottage
A good Steeleye Span album, but not among their best.
6. Boston - Boston
I wish the songs from this album weren't played on the radio so much. It's a great album, but after hearing it so many times, it loses some of it's luster. I remember the first time I heard "More Than A Feeling" on the radio. When it was over, I started scanning the other rock stations to see if someone else was playing it. The guitar sound was revolutionary. The vocal harmonies were tight. Great album.
7. Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak
What's particularly cool about this album is the guitar duets on several songs (including "The Boys Are Back In Town" and "The Cowboy Song") as well as the great sounding guitar duel on "Emerald". The title track is the worst song on the album. (That seems to happen a lot!)
8. Styx - Crystal Ball
Styx continues to perform at their peak with this album.
9. Heart - Dreamboat Annie
I have to list this album just because of "Magic Man" and "Crazy On You". The acoustic guitar work mixed with the crunchy guitar on "Crazy On You" still makes my hair stand on end when I hear it. A truly great musical sound.
10. Jethro Tull - Too Old To Rock And Roll, Too Young To Die
Even Tull's worst album ever deserves mention. (Why did Ian even bother with this?)
11. Chicago - Chicago X
I have to include this because Chicago was simply ahead of their time. But this is the last good "true" Chicago album in my opinion.
1977
1. Jethro Tull - Songs From The Wood
How did Tull manage to go from their worst album ever to one of their best? This is Ian at his best. "Cup Of Wonder", "Jack In The Green", "Whistler"... wow, what a sound!
2. Rush - A Farewell To Kings
A step up from 2112 even; a truly great album. The title song is amazing, but it never lets up!
3. Pink Floyd - Animals
The sound of this album is kind of spooky, but if you can get past that, it's an amazing album. The acoustic guitar sound on "Dogs" is excellent. The energy in "Pigs" and "Sheep" is awesome. The folky sound of "Pigs On The Wing" brings it all together. Great album.
4. Yes - Going For The one
Although I don't like the title song much, Yes came up with a masterpiece with "Awaken"!
5. Styx - The Grand Illusion
Styx is still riding their peak at this stage, and they create some great energy on some of these songs.
6. Steeleye Span - Storm Force Ten
Another good Steeleye Span album, but not among their best.
7. Kansas - Point of Know Return
A great follow up to Leftoverture. Great vocals with tight instrumentation and good songs.
8. Fleetwood Mac - Rumors
A classic album, a good listen. The only Fleetwood Mac album I ever liked.
9. Foreigner - Foreigner
Great debut album... I especially like "At War With The World"
10. REO Speedwagon - Live: You Get What You Play For
A very good live album of REO before they went all commercial.
11. Sweet - Level Headed
The usual good vocals and nice guitar sounds.
12. FM - Black Noise
Although a very synthesized album, I think FM was a pioneer in their field of music. "Phasors On Stun" is the song that sticks out.
1978
1. Jethro Tull - Heavy Horses
Another outstanding Tull album. "Acres Wild", "One Brown Mouse"; just one great song after another.
2. Horslips - The Man Who Built America
One of the best albums of the 1970s in my opinion. Every single song on this album has a great melody that stays with you, and there's plenty of folk overtones mixed with crunchy guitar and solid vocal harmonies.
3. Rush - Hemispheres
Another great Rush album. "Circumstances" has a ton of energy.
4. Genesis - And Then There Were Three
What a great sound. I think this was Phil Collins' voice at it's best. And the songs... great story-telling, and the music goes so well with each song. Great album.
5. Boston - Don't Look Back
Boston showed great vocal harmony and a great guitar sound in their first album, and this is more of the same.
6. Styx - Pieces Of Eight
Styx was on their way downhill to mediocrity after this album. This album represents the last of their best.
7. Thin Lizzy - Live And Dangerous
I consider this album a classic. The live versions of many Thin Lizzy songs sound better than the studio versions. "Southbound" comes to mind as a song that works very well live.
8. Foreigner - Double Vision
A good listen... I like their guitar sounds and vocals.
9. The Moody Blues - Octave
The Moody Blues hadn't recorded an album in about six years when they came out with this one, and it was pretty good. But not as good as their older stuff.
10. Carole King - Her Greatest Hits
I have to include this just because of songs like "Jazzman", which is one of my favorite songs.
1979
1. Jethro Tull - Stormwatch
This is the last of the era of great Tull albums. There are good Tull albums after this one, but this and the two preceding albums represent the very best of Jethro Tull.
2. Pink Floyd - The Wall
I don't like everything on this album, but what is good is very good. "Comfortably Numb" and "Hey You" are classics. I love the sound of the guitar solo on "Comfortably Numb".
3. Triumph - Just A Game
This was Triumph's best album. "Lay It On The Line" and the title track are the songs that carry it.
4. The Cars - Candy-O
I love the innovative sound of this album. Although some of it is rather straightforward rock, some of it is experimental sounding. The more melodic songs are good too though. "It's All I Can Do" is my favorite song on this album.
5. Petra - Washes Whiter Than
Petra's first decent album has a few good songs on it, but the best was yet to come at this point.
6. Bad Company - Desolation Angels
This album is a good listen, but some of it is forgettable.
1980
1. Rush - Permanent Waves
This could easily be categorized as Rush's best album. "Free Will" has to be one of their best songs ever.
2. U2 - Boy
U2's debut album has a cool sound, and Bono's voice is enjoyable to listen to. Not much there talent-wise, but who cares?
3. John Michael Talbot - Come To The Quiet
John Michael Talbot doesn't show off his great guitar playing much on this album, as most of the songs are rather simple, but it's a great, worshipful album, with many of the lyrics straight from the Bible.
4. Daniel Amos - Alarma!
This album is a great representation of the outrageous, unique crazyness of Terry Scott Taylor and friends. "Central Theme" is my favorite.
5. Daniel Amos - Horrendous Disc
This came out before Alarma, and is a good album, but doesn't rank as high as Alarma in my opinion. There's some great songs though: "Hound Of Heaven" is just the beginning.
6. Jethro Tull - A
A good Tull album, but not as good as the previous three. This is the most synthesized sound Tull ever came up with up to this point, and the electric violin player from the band "UK" joins Ian to make this a unique listening experience. "Working John, Working Joe" is my favorite song on this album.
7. Steeleye Span - Sails Of Silver
A very good album, with a great rendition of "Harvest Home" among other good songs.
1981
1. Rush - Moving Pictures
Another album that could be classified as Rush's best ever. Every song is great; there's just no let up.
2. Petra - Never Say Die
Petra starts to hit their stride with this album. It was really the first Christian rock album that was actually up to date both sound-wise and talent-wise with the rest of the music world at the time.
3. U2 - October
U2's second album is as good as their first; a cool sound, and Bono's voice once again defines the sound. Once again, not much there talent-wise, but who cares?
4. Jethro Tull - The Broadsword And The Beast
An improvement over "A", but this is the last good Tull album in my opinion. "Hard Times" actually got radio play; something unheard of for a song off a new Tull album since about 1975!
5. Rush - Exit Stage Left
Although there is just no topping their first live album, Rush's second live album is still very good.
6. Wendy & Mary - Out Of The Fullness
I think Wendy & Mary are the best sounding female duo ever to come out. Their harmonies are intoxicating, and the acoustic guitar sounds are good and full. I guess it would have to be classified as "folk music" because it certainly isn't anything like country music. (It wouldn't be on my favorite albums list if it was country!)
1982
1. Rush - Signals
Another great Rush album. The music even progresses a bit further to include keyboard sounds, and it works well throughout this album.
2. Petra - More Power To Ya
Petra is at their musical best at this point.
1983
1. Yes - 90125
A fantastic album from start to finish. I'll never get sick of this album.
2. Petra - Not Of This World
I think this is Petra's best album.
3. The Police - Synchronicity
I love Sting's voice, but the music is very unique sounding throughout this album as well. I love almost every song on this album.
4. U2 - War
I think U2 turns the corner into greatness with this album.
5. Daniel Amos - Doppelganger
The second part of the Alarma Chronicles was a long time in coming, but was well worth the wait.
6. Wendy & Mary - The Wind Came Singing
I can't say enough about how great the vocal melodies and harmonies are on this album.
7. John Michael Talbot - No Longer Strangers
I like the sound of John Michael Talbot's voice. His brother Terry joins him on this album.
1984
1. U2 - The Unforgettable Fire
I think this is U2's best album ever. Every single song is great.
2. John Michael Talbot - God Of Life
This album has a great folk sound to it, and the songs are well put together.
3. Rush - Grace Under Pressure
I think this was a good album, but definitely a step down from "Signals".
4. Daniel Amos - Vox Humana
Part three of the Alarma Chronicles is another winner.
5. Petra - Beat The System
This was Petra's last good album in my opinion.
1985
1. Jon Anderson - Three Ships
The best Christmas album ever made by far! I wish they would release it on CD; my cassette is worn out!
2. Rush - Power Windows
Another good but not great Rush album.
3. The Cars - Greatest Hits
A good collection of Cars songs. Not really their best songs though; just their most popular.
4. Wendy & Mary - Battle Of The Heart
I can't say enough about these two ladies. They sound awesome together.
5. Youth Choir - Voices In Shadows
This album had a huge influence on the Christian rock scene. Youth Choir was one of the few bands that was not only keeping up with the times musically, but exploring new sounds.
6. John Michael Talbot - The Quiet
This album creates a wonderful worship atmosphere.
1986
1. Daniel Amos - Fearful Symmetry
2. Elim Hall - Things Break
3. Bad Company - 10 From 6
4. Youth Choir - Shades Of Gray
5. Steeleye Span - Back In Line
6. Kat Eggleston & Andrew Calhoun - Jack Spratt
1987
1. U2 - The Joshua Tree
2. Rush - Hold Your Fire
3. Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse Of Reason
4. Wendy - People Of Promise
5. Mike Oldfield - Islands
1988
1989
1. Rush - A Show Of Hands
2. Steeleye Span - Tempted And Tried
3. Rush - Presto
1990
1. Elim Hall - Let It Thrive
2. Rush - Chronicles
3. Castlebay - The Peat Fire Flame
1991
1. Daniel Amos - Kalhoun
2. Rush - Roll The Bones
3. Maddy Prior & Tim Hart - Summer Solstice
4. Grand Funk - Collectors Series
1992
1. King's X - King's X
2. Adam Again - Dig
3. Sweet - The Best Of Sweet
1993
1. Collective Soul - Hints, Allegations, And Things Left Unsaid
2. Daniel Amos - Motorcycle
3. Terry Scott Taylor - Knowledge & Innocence
4. Rush - Counterparts
1994
1. Daniel Amos - Bibleland
2. Hootie And The Blowfish - Cracked Rear View
1995
1. Collective Soul - Collective Soul
2. Jars Of Clay - Jars Of Clay
3. DC Talk - Jesus Freak
4. Adam Again - Perfecta
1996
1. Audio Adrenaline - Bloom
2. Tonic - Lemon Parade
3. Steeleye Span - Time
4. Rush - Test For Echo
5. The Choir - Free Flying Soul
1997
1. Jars Of Clay - Much Afraid
2. Collective Soul - Disciplined Breakdown
1998
1. Newsboys - Step Up To The Microphone
2. Steeleye Span - Horkstow Grange
1999
1. Collective Soul - Dosage
2000
1. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
2. Ian Anderson - The Secret Language Of Birds
2001
1. P.O.D. - Satellite
2. Yes - Keystudio
3. Daniel Amos - Mr. Buechner's Dream
4. Paul McCartney - Wingspan (Hits And History)
2002
2003